Robot apparatus, body unit and coupling unit

ABSTRACT

A robot apparatus having a plurality of component units is provided. The robot unit includes a control means for controlling the plurality of component units, a first component unit which is electrically connected to the control means, having a first unique information associated therewith concerning the first component unit, a second component unit having a second unique information associated therewith concerning the first component unit which replaces the first component, a storage means provided for storing the first unique information and the second unique information, means for generating new unique information based upon both the first unique information and the second unique information and means for writing the new unique information into the storage means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a robot apparatus, a body unit thereof,and a coupling unit thereof, and more particularly, is suitably appliedto an autonomic robot

[0002] In recent years, autonomic robot apparatuses have been proposedthat determine their movements based on instruction signals suppliedfrom an external control device or surrounding image information inputfrom a sensor attached at a predetermined position. Though such anautonomic robot apparatus receives an instruction signal from thecontrol device or image information from the sensor, it vaguely moves inthe beginning. Then, it gradually makes movements suitable for the inputinstruction signal and image information by repeating such movements.

[0003] That is, when the autonomic robot apparatus, receiving aninstruction from the control device and image information from thesensor, vaguely moves, it sequentially stores in a internal storagemeans as learned data, the input instruction signal and imageinformation as well as movement information indicating how it moves inresponse to these signal and information. Subsequently, when theautonomic robot apparatus makes a movement in response to theinstruction signal the same as that previously received and stored inthe storage means, it evaluates the past learned data stored in thestorage means and the present learned data based on predeterminedparameters.

[0004] As a result, if the autonomic robot apparatus determines that thepresent learned data has higher rating than the past learned data, itdeletes the past learned data from the storage means and stores thepresent learned data. On the other hand, if the autonomic robotapparatus determines that the past learned data has higher rating thanthe present learned data, it discards the present learned data and keepthe past learned data in the storage means. In this manner, by graduallywriting learned data to the storage means to accumulate it therein, theautonomic robot apparatus acquires the capability of autonomicallydetermining its movements depending on an externally provided command.In this case, the autonomic robot apparatus uses as a method of storinglearned data, a centralized management method of storing the learneddata in a single storage means for management.

[0005] Incidentally, some autonomic robot apparatuses are an -integraltype and do not require units to be removed, but those comprising aplurality of units have recently been designed. The robot apparatuscomprising a plurality of units is constructed by, for example,connecting together a head unit corresponding to an animal's head, abody unit corresponding to the animal's body, and a manipulator unitcorresponding to the animal's legs.

[0006] In fact, the robot apparatus comprising a plurality of units isconstructed by combining desired units which are selected from a groupof head units including a plurality of head units, a group of body unitsincluding a plurality of body units, and a group of manipulator unitsincluding a plurality of manipulator units. Then, if, for example, thehead unit must be replaced with a new one, the robot apparatus canchange the combination of units by selecting a desired one from thegroup of head units and replacing the currently connected head unit withthe selected head unit selected from the group of head units.

[0007] By the way, in the robot apparatus comprising a plurality ofunits, in the case of using the centralized management method as themethod of storing learned data, the learned data is stored in, forexample, a storage means of the body unit for management. If such arobot apparatus has obtained sufficient learned data to behaveautonomically and then, for example, the manipulator unit is replacedwith another manipulator unit having a different function, it isimpossible that the storage means of the body unit already stores suchlearned data as to allow the new replaced manipulator unit tosufficiently exhibit its function. In this case, the robot apparatusmust newly obtain learned data for the new replaced manipulator unitfrom the beginning, thereby requiring a large amount of labor and timeto obtain learned data.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In view of the foregoing, It is thus an object of the presentinvention to provide a robot apparatus that can substantially improveusability as compared with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In order to attain the above objects, according to a first aspectof the present invention, there is provided a robot apparatus having aplurality of component units. The robot unit includes a control meansfor controlling the plurality of component units, a first component unitwhich is electrically connected to the control means, having a firstunique information associated therewith concerning the first componentunit, a second component unit having a second unique informationassociated therewith concerning the first component unit which replacesthe first component, a storage means provided for storing the firstunique information and the second unique information, means forgenerating new unique information based upon both the first uniqueinformation and the second unique information and means for writing thenew unique information into the storage means. The robot apparatusfurther includes a plurality of component storage means, with a firstcomponent storage means provided with the first component and a secondcomponent storage means provided with the second component and whereinthe first unique information is stored in the first component storagemeans and the second unique information is stored in the secondcomponent storage means and the new unique information is stored in thesecond component storage means.

[0010] The robot apparatus further includes a plurality of controlmeans, with a first component control means provided with the firstcomponent and a second component control means provided with the secondcomponent wherein the first component control means controls the firstcomponent means and the second component control means controls thesecond component. The plurality of storage means are built into therespective ones of the component units and contain at least a sensor formeasuring a predetermined physical amount and outputting the results ofthat measurement. The plurality of storage means also store the of theoutput information of the sensor as input information and a movementhistory of each the component. The plurality of storage means stores themovement history and input information as learned data with which thecoupling units make unique movements in response to the inputinformation.

[0011] The nature, principle and utility of the invention will becomemore apparent from the following detailed description when read inconjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts aredesignated by like reference numerals or characters.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference ismade to the following description and accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013]FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing one embodiment of a robotapparatus constructed in according with the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a group of units forconstructing the robot apparatus;

[0015]FIG. 3a is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of afirst embodiment of the robot apparatus;

[0016]FIG. 3b is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration of asecond embodiment of the robot apparatus;

[0017]FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for blending learneddata; and

[0018]FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for generatingcombination learned data.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0019] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of thepresent invention with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematicview showing a typical configuration of a robot apparatus. The pet robot1 comprises a head portion 2, a body portion 3, leg portions 4A-4D, anda tail portion 5. These components are appropriately coupled into theform of a pet as desired. Head portion 2, leg portions 4A-4D and tailportion 5 are moved relative to body portion 3 so that the pet robotbehaves like a genuine four-footed animal. The robot apparatus 1 manageslearned data required to autonomically determine its movement, bydistributing the learned data to the units.

[0020] Head portion 2 includes an image detecting unit 10, correspondingto eyes of a live pet, and comprising, e.g., a CCD (Charge CoupledDevice) camera for detecting an image. A microphone 11, corresponding toan ear of a live pet, receives and hears various sounds, such as avoice. A speaker 12, corresponding to a mouth of a live pet, generates avoice. Each of these components is attached to head portion 2 atrespective predetermined positions. Head portion 2 further includes aremote controller command receiver 13 for receiving commands transmittedfrom a user via a remote controller (not shown). A touch sensor 14 isalso provided for detecting the contact of a user's hand upon headportion 2.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, pet robot 1 is provided with both redand green LEDs, indicative of anger and pleasure, respectively. Bodyportion 3 includes a battery 21 attached to a position corresponding tothe belly of a live pet. An electronic circuit (not shown) is installedwithin body portion 3 for controlling the operation of pet robot 1.

[0022] Actuators 23A-23N (some of which are not shown) are providedrespectively at articulation joints of legs 4A-4D, at joints betweenlegs 4A-4D and body portion 3, at a joint between body portion 3 andhead portion 2, at a joint between body portion 3 and tail portion 5,etc. Actuators 23A-23N are driven under control of electronic circuitinstalled within body portion 3. Pet robot 1 is able to move as agenuine four-footed animal by driving the actuators 23A-23N in such amanner that head portion 2 swings vertically or horizontally, tailportion 5 wags, and legs 4A-4D moves to make the pet robot walk or run,as desired.

[0023] The robot apparatus 1 is constituted by combining, for example,as shown in FIG. 2, the head unit 2A selected from a group 2 of headunits including head units 2A, 2B and 2C as a coupling unit, the bodyunit 3A selected from a group 3 of body units including body units 3Aand 3B as a body unit, the manipulator unit 4A selected from a group 4of manipulator units including manipulator units 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D as acoupling unit.

[0024] In the robot apparatus 1 which is composed of the above selectedunits, if the manipulator unit 4A must be replaced with a new one, thecombination of units can be changed by selecting, for example, themanipulator unit 4C from the manipulator unit group 4 and replacing thecurrently connected manipulator unit 4A with it.

[0025] The manipulator unit 4A has a function for trotting, and themanipulator unit 4C has a function for grasping an object, so learneddata obtained by each unit is comprised of such data as to exhibit itsfunction. Thus, after replacing the manipulator unit 4A with themanipulator unit 4C, the robot apparatus 1 cannot allow the manipulatorsection 4C to exhibit its function even by applying the learned dataobtained by the manipulator unit 4A to the manipulator unit 4C.Therefore, the robot apparatus 1 is configured to manage learned data bydistributing it to the units so that the new replaced unit can fullyshow its function after replacement.

[0026]FIG. 3a shows a circuit configuration of the robot apparatus 1.When a user first makes a desired sound for a desired movement, the bodyunit 3 uses a microphone 17 to catch the sound and inputs a resultingaudio signal S1 to a signal processing section 18. The signal processingsection 18 applies predetermined data processing to the audio signal S1and resulting desired movement data S2 to a body central processing unit(CPU) 19 acting as a movement control means.

[0027] The body unit 3 uses a sensor 5 comprising the charge coupleddevice (CCD) camera to convert surrounding conditions into body imagedata S3, and sends this data out to the body CPU 19 via a serial bushost controller 6 that control a bus. At this point, the head unit 2sends out head image data S10 obtained by a sensor 20 comprising the CCDcamera 10, to the body unit 3 via a hub 21 and to a head CPU 22. Thebody unit 3 inputs the head image data S10 to the CPU 19 via a hub 25and a serial bus host controller 6 in this order. Likewise, themanipulator unit 4 sends out sensing data S13 obtained by a st least oneof sensors 28 including a CCD camera, a potention meter, and a pressuresensor or the like to the body unit 3 and to a manipulator CPU 30 via ahub 29, and this data is sent to the body CPU 19 via the hub 25 andserial bus host controller 6 of the body unit 3 in this order.

[0028] In addition, the body CPU 19, when receiving the desired movementdata S2, first generates a drive signal S15 for driving the entire robotapparatus 1, and generates a body drive signal S16 for driving the bodyunit 3, based on the drive signal. The body CPU 19 then sends out thedrive signal S16 to an actuator 32 via the serial bus host controller 6to drive the actuator 32, and allows the body unit 3 to make a movementsuch as tail wagging. Concurrently, the body CPU 19 sends out the drivesignal S15 to the head unit 2 and manipulator unit 4 via the serial bushost controller 6 and the hub 25 in this order.

[0029] The head unit 2 inputs the drive signal S15 supplied from thebody unit 3, to the head CPU 22 via the hub 21. Based on the drivesignal S15, the head CPU 22 generates a head drive signal S17 fordriving the head unit 2 and sends out this signal to an actuator 36 viathe hub 21 to drive the actuator 36, and allows the head unit 2 to makea movement.

[0030] Similarly, the manipulator unit 4 inputs the drive signal S15supplied from the body unit 3, to the CPU 30 via the hub 29. Based onthe drive signal S15, the manipulator CPU 30 generates a manipulatordrive signal S18 for driving the manipulator unit 4 and sends out thissignal to an actuator 41 via the hub 29 to drive the actuator 41, andallows the manipulator unit 4 to make a movement.

[0031] In this case, the body CPU 19 of the body unit 3 stores in a bodystorage section 45 as learned data S20, the desired movement data S2input with the microphone 17, the body image data S3 input with thesensor 5, and the body drive signal S16 for driving the body unit 3.Incidentally, the body CPU 19 is adapted to send out the desiredmovement data S2 to the head unit 2 and manipulator unit 4 via theserial bus host controller 6 and the hub 25 in this order.

[0032] Thus, the head CPU 22 of the head unit 2, receiving the desiredmovement data S2 from the body unit 3, stores in a head storage section47 as learned data S22, the desired movement data S2, the head imagedata S10 input with the sensor 20, and the head drive signal S17 fordriving the head unit 2. In addition, the manipulator CPU 30 of themanipulator unit 4, receiving the desired movement data S2 from the bodyunit 3, stores in a manipulator storage section 49 as learned data S24,the desired movement data S2, the manipulator image data S13 input withthe sensor 28, and the manipulator drive signal S18 for driving themanipulator unit 4.

[0033] The robot apparatus 1 sequentially repeats the above processingto store the learned data in the storage section 45, 47, and 49 of eachunit. Subsequently, if a movement is made in response to the desiredmovement data S2 the same as that stored in the storage section, thepast learned data S20 stored in the storage section 45 and the newlearned data S20 each is evaluated based on a predetermined criterion.

[0034] As a result, if the body unit 3 determines that the. presentlearned data S20 has higher rating than the past learned data S20, itdeletes the past learned data S20 from the body storage means 45 andnewly stores the present learned data S20. On the other hand, if thebody unit 3 determines that the past learned data S20 has higher ratingthan the present learned data S20, it discards the present learned dataS20 and keeps the past learned data S20 in the body storage means 45.

[0035] Similarly, the head unit 2 updates the learned data S22 stored inthe head storage section 47 to accumulate the learned data S22, whilethe manipulator unit 4 updates the learned data S24 stored in themanipulator storage section 49 to accumulate the learned data S24. Inthis manner, the robot apparatus 1 gradually obtains learned data toacquire the capability of determining a movement suitable for anexternally provided command, and uses as a method for managing theobtained learned data, object-oriented learning that manages data bydistributing it to each unit.

[0036] The case will be described in which the manipulator units 4A and4C (FIG. 2) storing therein learned data obtained by repeating the aboveprocessing generate new learned data based on both the learned datastored in the manipulator unit 4A and the learned data stored in themanipulator unit 4C (hereafter, this is referred to as “blending”) andthen the blended -learned data is stored in the manipulator unit 4C.

[0037] When a user first connects the manipulator unit 4A to the bodyunit 2A, the manipulator CPU 30 of the manipulator unit 4A reads out thelearned data S24 from the manipulator storage section 49 of themanipulator unit 4A and transfers this data to the body storage section45 for storage, via the hub 29, the hub 25 and the serial bus hostcontroller 6 of the body unit 3A in this order.

[0038] Subsequently, the user removes the manipulator unit 4A from thebody unit 2A and connects the manipulator unit 4C to the body unit 2A.In response to this, the manipulator CPU 30 of the manipulator unit 4Creads out the learned data S24 from the manipulator storage section 49of the manipulator unit 4C and transfers this data to the body storagesection 45 for storage, via the hub 29, the hub 25 and the serial bushost controller 6 of the body unit 3A in this order.

[0039] The body CPU 19 as a learning data blending means of the bodyunit 3A has inside a work area such as a memory and reads out thelearned data of the manipulator unit 4A and the learned data of themanipulator unit 4C from the body storage section 45 to transfer thesedata to the work area. The body CPU 19 blends in this work area thelearned data of the manipulator unit 4A with the learned data of themanipulator unit 4C to generate new learned data, that is, blendedlearned data. The generated blended learned data is sent out to themanipulator storage section 49 of the manipulator unit 4C for storagevia the serial bus controller 6, the hub 25, and the hub 29 of themanipulator unit 4C in this order.

[0040] Thus, the manipulator unit 4C can have not only the capability ofbehaving based on the learned data obtained by itself but also thecapability of behaving based on the learned data obtained by themanipulator unit 4A, thereby improving its own movement capabilitywithout the needs for learning processing.

[0041] Now, a data format of learned data will be described. Forexample, the learned data S24 obtained by the manipulator unit 4 iscomprised command data T indicating the desired movement data S2instructed by the user, a vector (g) indicating the condition of themanipulator image data S13 input from the sensor 28, and a vector (a)indicating the manipulator drive signal S18 to be supplied to theactuator 41. The learned data S24 is represented by the vector T, thevector (g) and the vector (a).

[0042] Specifically, the command data T indicating the desired movementdata S2 indicates, for example, “forward,” “kick,” and “jump” or thelike. The state vector (g) indicating the condition of the manipulatorimage data S13 input from the sensor 28 is represented by them-dimensional condition vector G^(m)={g(1), g(2), g(3), . . . , g(m)},where (m) indicates the number of conditions of the manipulator imagedata S13, that is, the types of feature quantities. The movement vector(a) indicating the manipulator drive signal S18 to be supplied to theactuator 41 is represented by the n-dimensional movement vectorA^(n)={a(1), a(2), a(3), . . . , a(n)J, where (n) corresponds to thenumber of motors in the manipulator unit 4.

[0043] Subsequently, the case will be described in which the learneddata of the manipulator unit 4A is represented by data T₁, vector g₁,vector a₁, the learned data of the manipulator unit 4B is represented bydata T₂ vector g₂, vector a₂, and these data are blended together andstored in the manipulator unit 4B. In this case, if the learned data(data T₁, vector g₁, vector a₁) is identical to the learned data (dataT₂ vector g₂, vector a₂), the body CPU 19 need not carry out theblending processing and stores either of them as blended learned data.

[0044] If the command data T₁ and the command data T₂ are identical andthe state vector g₁ is different from the state vector g₂ and/or themovement vector a₁ is different from the movement vector a₂ the body CPU19 of the body unit 3 evaluates each learned data based on an evaluationfunction which uses a time of duration and power consumption requiredfor movement in response to a given command as parameters. Thus, thebody CPU 19 selects as blended learned data the learned data that hashigher rating, while discarding the learned data having lower rating. Inthe case where the command data T₁ is different from the command dataT₂, that is, their desired movements are different from each other, theCPU 12 of the body unit 3 stores both the learned data (data T₁, vectorg₁, vector a₁ and the learned data (data T₂, vector g₂, vector a₂).

[0045] For example, in the case where the learned data “a movement ofshoot” of the manipulator unit 4A is blended with the learned data “amovement of pass” of the manipulator unit 4B, the body CPU 19 of thebody unit 3 generates the blended learned data “movements of shoot andpass”. In addition, in the case where the learned data “capability ofnavigation from point A to point B” of the head unit 4A is blended withthe learned data “capability of navigation from point B to point C” ofthe head unit 4B, the body CPU 19 of the body unit 3 generates theblended learned data “capability of navigation from point A to point C.”In this manner, the body CPU 19 of the body unit 3 blends the learneddata together to improve the capability of each unit.

[0046] Now, the reinforced learning processing will be described, whichdetermines a combination of units suitable for a given desired movementand generates combination learned data. The user first provides adesired movement to the body unit 3A and then, for example, couples thehead unit 2A, the body unit 3A, and the manipulator unit 4A together toconstruct the robot apparatus 1 (FIG. 1).

[0047] The head CPU 22 of the head unit 2A reads out from the headstorage section 47 identification information S30 indicating the headunit 2A and sends out this information to the body CPU 19 via the hub21, the hub 25 and the serial bus host controller 6 of the body unit 3A.In addition, the manipulator CPU 30 of the manipulator unit 4A reads outfrom the manipulator storage section 49 identification information S31indicating the manipulator unit 4A and sends out this information to thebody CPU 19 via the hub 29, the hub 25 and the serial bus hostcontroller 6 of the body unit 3A. This information may contain anyinformation which is common to all manipulator units or uniqueinformation which is specific to the manipulator, including but notlimited to history, behavior, serial number, manufacturer, model number,company name, calibration information, capabilities, time information,etc.

[0048] The body CPU 19 of the body unit 3A reads out from the bodystorage section 45 identification information S35 indicating the bodyunit 3A and stores the identification information S35 for the body unit3A, the identification information S30 for the head unit 2A, and theidentification information S31 for the manipulator unit 4A, in the bodystorage section 45 as coupling information indicating the currentcombination of units. Further, the body CPU 19 sets a desired movementbased on the desired movement data S2 to make a movement.

[0049] In this case, the body CPU 19 of the body unit 3A determineswhether the movement has been successfully made, with the set desiredmovement as a reference. As a result, if the body CPU 19 has made apositive determination, then it determines that the current combinationof units is suited for the desired movement, and sends out theexternally provided desired movement data S2 to the body storage section45 to store therein the desired movement data S2 and the abovecombination information as combination learned data.

[0050] On the contrary, if the body CPU 19 determines that the movementhas failed, it generates an execution result signal S40 indicating thefailure of the movement. Then, the body CPU 12 uses the signalprocessing section 11 to subject this signal to predetermined dataprocessing and then sends the resultant out to a display section 50 asan output means comprising a liquid crystal display. The display section50 shows the predetermined message “Task failed. Replace unit.” When theuser replaces, for example, the manipulator unit 4A in response to thisdisplay, the body CPU 12 of the body unit 3A updates and stores thecoupling information S37 in the body storage section 45 and then makesthe desired movement again. By repeating these processing, the robotapparatus can obtain combination learned data comprising a combinationof units suitable for the desired movement provided by the user.

[0051]FIG. 3b shows a circuit configuration of a second embodiment ofthe robot apparatus 1. Items which are numbered the same operate thesame as in FIG. 3a and will not be discussed again.

[0052] The body unit 3 uses a sensor 5 comprising the charge coupleddevice (CCD) camera to convert surrounding conditions into body imagedata S3, and sends this data out to the body CPU 19 via a serial bushost controller 6 that control a bus. At this point, the head unit 2sends out head image data S10 obtained by a sensor 20 comprising the CCDcamera 10, to the body unit 3 via a hub 21. The body unit 3 inputs thehead image data S10 to the CPU 19 via a hub 25 and a serial bus hostcontroller 6 in this order. Likewise, the manipulator unit 4 sends outsensing data S13 obtained by at least on of sensors 28 comprising a CCDcamera, to the body unit 3 via a hub 29, and this data is sent to thebody CPU 19 via the hub 25 and serial bus host controller 6 of the bodyunit 3 in this order.

[0053] In addition, the body CPU 19, when receiving the desired movementdata S2, first generates a drive signal S15 for driving the entire robotapparatus 1, and generates a body drive signal S16 for driving the bodyunit 3, based on the drive signal. The body CPU 19 then sends out thedrive signal S16 to an actuator 32 via the serial bus host controller 6to drive the actuator 32, and allows the body unit 3 to make a movementsuch as tail wagging. Concurrently, the body CPU 19 sends out the drivesignal S15 to the head unit 2 and manipulator unit 4 via the serial bushost controller 6 and the hub 25 in this order.

[0054] The head unit 2 inputs the drive signal S15 supplied from thebody unit 3, to the body CPU 19 via the hub 21. Based on the drivesignal S15, the body CPU 19 generates a head drive signal S17 fordriving the head unit 2 and sends out this signal to an actuator 36 viathe hub 21 to drive the actuator 36, and allows the head unit 2 to makea movement.

[0055] Similarly, the manipulator unit 4 inputs the drive signal S15supplied from the body unit 3, to the body CPU 19 via the hub 29. Basedon the drive signal S15, the body CPU 19 generates a manipulator drivesignal S18 for driving the manipulator unit 4 and sends out this signalto an actuator 41 via the hub 29 to drive the actuator 41, and allowsthe manipulator unit 4 to make a movement.

[0056] In this case, the body CPU 19 of the body unit 3 stores in a bodystorage section 45 as learned data S20, the desired movement data S2input with the microphone 17, the body image data S3 input with thesensor 5, and the body drive signal S16 for driving the body unit 3.Incidentally, the body CPU 19 is adapted to send out the desiredmovement data S2 to the head unit 2 and manipulator unit 4 via theserial bus host controller 6 and the hub 25 in this order.

[0057] Thus, the body CPU 19, receiving the desired movement data S2from the body unit 3, stores in a head storage section 47 as learneddata S22, the desired movement data S2, the head image data S10 inputwith the sensor 20, and the head drive signal S17 for driving the headunit 2. In addition, the body CPU 19, receiving the desired movementdata S2 from the body unit 3, stores in a manipulator storage section 47as learned data S24, the desired movement data S2, the manipulator imagedata S13 input with the sensor 28, and the manipulator drive signal S18for driving the manipulator unit 4.

[0058] The robot apparatus 1 sequentially repeats the above processingto store the learned data in the storage sections 45, 47 and 49.Subsequently, if a movement is made in response to the desired movementdata S2 the same as that stored in the storage section, the past learneddata S20 stored in the storage section 45 and the new learned data S20each is evaluated based on a predetermined criterion.

[0059] As a result, if the body unit 3 determines that the presentlearned data S20 has higher rating than the past learned data S20, itdeletes the past learned data S20 from the body storage means 45 andnewly stores the present learned data S20. On the other hand, if thebody unit 3 determines that the past learned data S20 has higher ratingthan the present learned data S20, it discards the present learned dataS20 and keeps the past learned data S20 in the body storage means 45.

[0060] Similarly, the head unit 2 updates the learned data S22 stored inthe head storage section 47 to accumulate the learned data S22, whilethe manipulator unit 4 updates the learned data S24 stored in themanipulator storage section 49 to accumulate the learned data S24. Inthis manner, the robot apparatus 1 gradually obtains learned data toacquire the capability of determining a movement suitable for anexternally provided command, and uses as a method for managing theobtained learned data, object-oriented learning that manages data bydistributing it to each unit.

[0061] The case will be described in which the manipulator units 4A and4C (FIG. 2) storing therein learned data obtained by repeating the aboveprocessing generate new learned data based on both the learned datastored in the manipulator unit 4A and the learned data stored in themanipulator unit 4C (hereafter, this is referred to as “blending”) andthen the blended learned data is stored in the manipulator unit 4C.

[0062] When a user first connects the manipulator unit 4A to the bodyunit 2A, the body CPU 19 of the manipulator unit 4A reads out thelearned data S24 from the manipulator storage section 49 of themanipulator unit 4A and transfers this data to the body storage section45 for storage, via the hub 29, the hub 25 and the serial bus hostcontroller 6 of the body unit 3A in this order.

[0063] Subsequently, the user removes the manipulator unit 4A from thebody unit 2A and connects the manipulator unit 4C to the body unit 2A.In response to this, the body CPU 19 reads out the learned data S24 fromthe manipulator storage section 49 and transfers this data to the bodystorage section 45 for storage, via the hub 29, the hub 25 and theserial bus host controller 6 of the body unit 3A in this order.

[0064] The body CPU 19 as a learning data blending means of the bodyunit 3A has inside a work area such as a memory and reads out thelearned data of the manipulator unit 4A and the learned data of themanipulator unit 4C from the body storage section 45 to transfer thesedata to the work area. The body CPU 19 blends in this work area thelearned data of the manipulator unit 4A with the learned data of themanipulator unit 4C to generate new learned data, that is, blendedlearned data. The generated blended learned data is sent out to themanipulator storage section 49 for storage via the serial bus controller6, the hub 25, and the hub 29 in that order.

[0065] Thus, the manipulator unit 4C can have not only the capability ofbehaving based on the learned data obtained by itself but also thecapability of behaving based on the learned data obtained by themanipulator unit 4A, thereby improving its own movement capabilitywithout the needs for learning processing.

[0066] Next, a learning-data blending processing procedure, for example,a procedure for blending the learned data S24 of the manipulator unit 4A(FIG. 2) with the learned data S24 of the manipulator unit 4B (FIG. 2)will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG. 4. Incidentally, thefollowing description is applicable to procedures for blending togetherthe learned data of other units together, so the description of theseprocedures is omitted.

[0067] First, in step SP2 following SP1, when the manipulator unit 4A iscoupled to the body unit 3A, the body CPU 19 of the body unit 3A readsout the learned data S24 from the manipulator storage section 49 of themanipulator unit 4A via the hub 2S and transfers this data to the bodystorage section 45.

[0068] In step SP3, upon recognizing that the user has removed themanipulator section 4A from the body unit 3A and the manipulator unit 4Bis newly attached on the body unit 3A for replacement, the body CPU 19proceeds to the next step SP4. In step SP4, the body CPU 19 of the bodyunit 3A reads out the learned data S24 from the manipulator storagesection 49 of the newly attached manipulator unit 4B, transfers thisdata to the body storage section 45, and then blends the learned data ofthe manipulator unit 4A and the learned data of the manipulator unit 4Bto generate blended learned data, which is then stored in the bodystorage section 45.

[0069] In the subsequent step SP5, the CPU 12 of the body unit 3A sendsout the generated blended learned data to the manipulator storagesection 49 of the manipulator unit 4B, which is then overwritten withthis data for storage. In step SP6, the body CPU 19 of the body unit 3Adeletes the blended learned data stored in the body storage section 45and then returns to step SP1 to repeat the processing.

[0070] Next, a procedure for generating combination learned data will beexplained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5. In step SP11following step SP10, the desired movement data S2 is provided from theexternal to the main CPU 19 of the body unit 3A. In step SP12, desiredunits, for example, the head unit 2A and the manipulator unit 4A arecoupled together. Then, the body CPU 19 stores in the body storagesection 45 coupling information indicating the current combination ofunits and then sets a desired movement based on the desired movementdata S2 to execute a task corresponding to the desired movement.

[0071] In step SP13, the body CPU 19 of the body unit 3A determineswhether the task has been successfully executed, with the set desiredmovement as a reference. As a result, when the body CPU 19 of the bodyunit 3A has made a positive determination, the processing proceeds tostep SP14, whereas when it has determined that the task has failed, theprocessing proceeds to step SP15.

[0072] In step SP14, the body CPU 19 of the body unit 3A determines thatthe current combination of units is suited for the provided desiredmovement, and stores in the body storage section 45 the desired movementand the above combination information as combination learned data. Onthe contrary, in step SP15 the body CPU 19 of the body unit 3A displaysa predetermined message on the display section 50 to prompt the user toreplace the unit with a new one. When the user replaces the unit inresponse to the message on the display section 50, the body CPU 19returns to step SP12 to repeat the above processing.

[0073] With the above configuration, the robot apparatus 1 previouslyobtains learned data required to autonomically determine a movementcorresponding to a command from a user or surrounding conditions, andmanages the obtained learned data by distributing it to the storagesections of the units. Thus, when a unit is replaced with a new one, thelearned data obtained by the unit to be replaced can be blended with thelearned data obtained by the new unit to obviate the need to obtainlearned data corresponding to the learned data obtained by the formerunit from the beginning, thereby reducing the labor and time required toobtain learned data.

[0074] In addition, the robot apparatus 1 previously obtains combinationlearned data indicating a combination of units suitable for performing adesired movement provided by the user, and when the user specifies amovement, it notifies the user of a combination suitable for themovement, thereby enabling the user to easily determine a combination ofunits suited to make the desired movement.

[0075] With the above configuration, by previously obtaining learneddata required to autonomically determine a movement in accordance withto externally provided information, and managing the obtained learneddata by distributing it to each unit, the learned data obtained by aunit to be replaced can be blended with the learned data obtained by thenew unit to reduce the labor and time required to obtain learned data,thereby realizing the robot apparatus 1 with improved usability.

[0076] In addition, by previously obtaining learned data required toautonomically determine a movement in accordance with an instructionprovided by a user, and when the user provides an instruction, the useris informed of a combination corresponding to it. Therefore, the usercan easily determine a combination of units suited to make the desiredmovement, thereby realizing the robot apparatus 1 with improvedusability.

[0077] Note that, in the aforementioned embodiment, the blended learneddata stored in body storage section 45 is deleted in step SP6 of thelearned data blending processing procedure shown in FIG. 4. However, thepresent invention is not limited thereto and the blended learned datacan be stored and held rather than being deleted.

[0078] In addition, in the aforementioned embodiment, the combinationlearned data is stored in the body storage section 45 of the body unit3. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and thecombination learned data can be managed by distributing and storing itin the body storage section 45 of the body unit 3, the head storagesection 47 of the head unit 2, and the manipulator storage section 49 ofthe manipulator unit 4.

[0079] In addition, in the aforementioned embodiment, the desiredmovement is set based on the externally supplied desired movement dataS2. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and the robotapparatus can set a desired movement by itself based on the body imagedata S3 supplied from the sensor 15 or various other data.

[0080] In addition, in the aforementioned embodiment, the desiredmovement provided by the user and the combination of units suitable forthe desired movement are stored in the body storage section 45 ascombination learned data. However, the present invention is not limitedthereto and the body storage section 45 can store data of combinationsunsuitable for the desired movement as well as the desired movement andthe combination of units suitable for the desired movement.

[0081] In addition, in the aforementioned embodiment, the learned dataincludes the externally provided desired movement data S2, the imagedata input with the sensor, and the drive signal for driving the unit.The present invention, however, is not limited thereto and, in short,the learned data can include externally input information and themovement history of the coupling units in response to the inputinformation.

[0082] Furthermore, in the aforementioned embodiment, the presentinvention is applied to the robot apparatus 1 constituted by couplingtogether the head unit 2, the body unit 3, and the manipulator unit 4.The present invention, however, is not limited thereto and is applicableto a robot apparatus constituted by coupling a body unit and amanipulator unit together or combining various other coupling unitstogether.

[0083] As described above, in the present invention, input informationand the movement history of coupling units in response to the inputinformation are stored in a storage means as learned data instead of theinput information and the movement history of the entire robot apparatusin response to the input information. Thus, even if a coupling unit isreplaced with a new one, the learned data of the new coupling unit canbe used as it is to determine a movement of the coupling unit, therebyproviding a robot apparatus that can substantially improve usability ascompared with the prior art.

[0084] Further, in the present invention, the combination of couplingunits and the movement history of a movement control means based on theinput information are stored in a storage means as combination learneddata, and the combination learned data is read out from the storagemeans as required and outputs it to the external via an output means.Consequently, the user can easily determine a combination suitable formaking a desired movement, so the present invention can provide a robotapparatus that can substantially improve usability compared to the priorart.

[0085] While there has been described in connection with the preferredembodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in theart that various changes and modifications may be aimed, therefore, tocover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications as fallwithin the true spirit and scope of the invention.

[0086] Having now fully described the invention, it will be apparent toone of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications canbe made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as set forth herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A robot apparatus having a plurality of componentunits, comprising: a control means for controlling said plurality ofcomponent units; a first component unit which is electrically connectedto said control means, having a first unique information associatedtherewith concerning said first component unit; a second component unithaving a second unique information associated therewith concerning saidfirst component unit which replaces said first component; a storagemeans provided for storing said first unique information and said secondunique information; means for generating new unique information basedupon both said first unique information and said second uniqueinformation; and means for writing said new unique information into saidstorage means.
 2. The robot apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising:a plurality of component storage means, with a first component storagemeans provided with said first component and a second component storagemeans provided with said second component; wherein said first uniqueinformation is stored in said first component storage means and saidsecond unique information is stored in said second component storagemeans; and said new unique information is stored in said secondcomponent storage means.
 3. The robot apparatus of claim 2 and furthercomprising: a plurality of control means, with a first component controlmeans provided with said first component and a second component controlmeans provided with said second component; and wherein said firstcomponent control means controls said first component means and saidsecond component control means controls said second component.
 4. Therobot apparatus of claim 2 wherein said plurality of storage means arebuilt into the respective ones of said component units.
 5. The robotapparatus of claim 2, wherein said plurality of component units containat least a sensor for measuring a predetermined physical amount andoutputing the results of that measurement.
 6. The robot apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein said plurality of storage means also store the of theoutput information of said sensor as input information.
 7. The robotapparatus of claim 6, wherein said plurality of storage means also storea movement history of each said component.
 8. The robot apparatusaccording to claim 7, wherein said plurality of storage means storessaid movement history and input information as learned data with whichsaid coupling units make unique movements in response to said inputinformation.
 9. The robot apparatus according to claim 8, and furthercomprising learned data blending means for reading learned data out fromsaid plurality of storage means, blending the learned data with thelearned data of previously coupled coupling units to generate newlearned data, and storing the generated learned data in said pluralityof storage means of said current coupling units.
 10. The robot apparatusaccording to claim 2 wherein said unique information is historyinformation of the behavior of said component.
 11. The robot apparatusaccording to claim 2 wherein said unique information is serial number ofsaid component.
 12. The robot apparatus according to claim 2 whereinsaid unique information is a manufacturing number of said component. 13.The robot apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said unique informationis a model number of said component.
 14. The robot apparatus accordingto claim 2 wherein said unique information is a company name for saidcomponent.
 15. The robot apparatus according to claim 2 wherein saidunique information is the parameter information of said component. 16.The robot apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said unique informationis the calibration information for said component.
 17. The robotapparatus according to claim 2 wherein said unique information is thetotal time said component was used.
 18. The robot apparatus according toclaim 2 wherein said unique information is the total operating systemoperating time for said component.